The following report is by the Edmonton Journal:
The results of a plebiscite Thursday mean the town of 4,800, about 90 kilometres north of Edmonton, will only allow flying government flags and crosswalks painted with standard white stripes, and a rainbow-coloured Pride crosswalk will be removed.
The votes of 1,302 residents were 51 per cent in favour of the changes — a difference of only 24 ballots.
Westlock Mayor Jon Kramer told Postmedia councillors were unanimously against the move and spoke out about the risk it represented.
“This is disappointing, but not discouraging. We know that the future is inclusive, and it really doesn’t change our commitment to inclusive practices and policies within our community whatsoever,” he said.
The petition came in response to the local gay-straight alliance’s painting of a crosswalk with the colours of the Pride flag last June.
Westlock is a kind and caring community, but this is just proof that change is incredibly hard for some people, and the work of inclusion is not done. It’s an uphill battle.
Said Kramer.
The resident-approved bylaw can’t be repealed by council, and will be in effect for at least a year before citizens can bring forward a challenge, he said.
“We’ve already received messages (about potential) Charter challenges or human rights complaints, so this is not the end of the story by any means,” he said, adding that having the bylaw in the books will also prevent the town from raising a Treaty 6 flag as planned.
‘This Is Going To Inspire People’
Benita Pedersen, an opponent of rainbow-coloured crosswalks, told Postmedia she believes the symbol doesn’t resonate with the majority of people in Westlock, and called the results of the plebiscite a great success for Canadians.
This is going to inspire people, not just in Westlock, but across the nation. It’s going to inspire people to stand up for what they believe in, even when their elected representatives are attempting to shove things upon a municipality that the people don’t agree with.
She said.
Pedersen said the colours don’t represent equality, but favouritism.
“It’s not appropriate for the symbols of special interest groups to be showcased in such a prominent way. It’s a form of bullying,” said Pedersen, who had attempted to introduce a similar petition before the crosswalk was painted last year.
The latest successful effort was spearheaded by resident Stephanie Bakker and the group Westlock Neutrality.
Pedersen said removing the painted crosswalk isn’t an act of hatred against those who identify as LGBTQ community, but a “step towards having healthy boundaries,” and highlighted a local event being organized by the group to bring proponents and opponents together.
“We love the people in our community who identify as LGBTQ,” she said, calling for an investigation into the mayor for “attempting to manipulate” the outcome of the plebiscite vote.
A former Take Back Alberta organizer, she lost a byelection bid early this year to fill a vacant local council seat.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
Proverbs 14:32
Definitely refreshing to see that some Canadians are trying to resist this wickedness, though, unfortunately, the damage has been done, and this fight to restore the flags and then some will only intensify.
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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GOOD!
Nice!
Maybe I’ll pay that town a visit sometime. I’ve been to a small rural town in Alberta before; stayed with this family for a week, the dad is a hunter, best smoked game meat I’ve ever eaten; brought me home some antlers. His little daughter is an avid horseback rider; very smart kid, wanted to teach me how to ride. This was years ago, I hope she didn’t get dumbed down and brainwashed by the woeful educational system we have.
Wonderful! I pray some righteous standards come out in Canada, hopefully some Canadians will come to repentance and the King James Bible, arm themselves, and when that happens, there will be some actual change that the trucker protests are barely bringing, they’re all stage players in this controlled opposition show anyway!
Taking down the flags great, now how bout taking down the pedophelia,grooming, and globalists scum programs as well. Have to kick them out, 100 percent gone, Reject Completely!!
An episcopal “church” building had a pride flag outside the entrance where I used to live in Michigan. The only good was that it helped reinforce how wicked these buildings are in every denomination!